Chapter 324
Mar. 1, 1899. | 30 Stat., 924.

An Act Making appropriations for the current and contingent expenses of the Indian Department and for fulfilling treaty stipulations with various Indian tribes for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted, &c., For necessary traveling expenses of one superintendent of Indian schools, including telegraphing and incidental expenses of inspection and investigation,a

aBy 1882, May 17, ch. 163 (22 Stat., 70), provision was made for the appointment of a person to inspect Indian schools at a compensation of $3,000, with $1,500 for traveling expenses. By 1888, June 29, ch. 503, s. 8 (25 Stat., 238), the appointment of a superintendent of Indian schools is provided for, but this was superseded by the provisions of 1889, March 2, ch. 412, s. 10, ante, p. 44. No salary was fixed for the office, but the annual appropriation has been for $4,000, beginning with 1888, prior to which it was $3,000. Appropriations for the salary and provisions for the traveling expenses similar to and generally identical with those in the text have been made by 1884, July 4, ch. 180 (23 Stat., 77); 1885, March 3, ch. 341 (23 Stat., 364); 1886, May 15, ch. 333 (24 Stat., 30); 1887, March 2, ch. 320 (24 Stat., 451); 1888, June 29, ch. 503 (25 Stat., 219); 1889, March 2, ch. 412 (25 Stat., 982); 1890, August 19, ch. 807 (26 Stat., 338); 1891, March 3, ch. 543 (26 Stat., 989); 1892, July 13, ch. 164 (27 Stat., 122); 1893, March 3, ch. 209; 1894, August 15, ch. 290; 1895, March 2, ch. 188; 1896, June 10, ch. 398; 1897, June 7, ch. 3 (30 Stat., 65); 1898, July 1, ch. 545 (30 Stat., 574).

Provided,That he shall be allowed three dollars per day for traveling expenses when actually on duty in the field, exclusive of cost of transportation and sleeping-car fare, in lieu of all other expenses now allowed by law:

And provided further, That he shall perform such other duties as may be imposed upon him by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.

That hereafter each special agent, supervisor of schools, or other official charged with the investigation of Indian agencies and schools, in the pursuit of his official duties shall have power to administer oaths and to examine on oath all officers and persons employed in the Indian service, and all such other persons as may be deemed necessary and proper.b

bThe same provision, without the word hereafter, occurs in 1898, July 1, ch. 545 (30 Stat., 574). By the addition of the word hereafter it has now become permanent.

For salaries of four commissioners, appointed under Acts of Congress approved March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-three, and March second, eighteen hundred and ninety-five, to negotiate with the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory, twenty thousand dollars:c

cFor the powers and duties of these commissioners, previously three in number, see 1896, June 10, ch. 398, par. 4, and note (c) thereto, ante, p. 79; and 1897, June 7, ch. 3, ante, p. 88.

Provided,That the number of said commissioners is hereby fixed at four.

That said commission shall continue to exercise all authority heretofore conferred on it by law.

SEC. 8

That hereafter all Indians, when they shall arrive at the age of eighteen years, shall have the right to receive and receipt for all annuity money that may be due or become due to them, if not otherwise incapacitated under the regulations of the Indian Office. [March 1, 1899.]